Pregame notes: Progress for Pineda; up next is Tanaka

Still a few hurdles to clear -- quite a few, actually -- but there is at least positive news for the two Yankees starting pitchers who actually have a chance to come back from the disabled list this season.

Michael Pineda's first rehab game went as expected this afternoon. Pitching for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pineda went 3.1 scoreless innings with three hits (all doubles), one walk and four strikeouts. He's on track for another minor league game on Friday, which should get him up to 75 pitches. One more after that should get him up to 90 pitches, and at that point the Yankees would feel he's stretched out enough to be activated.

"You want to first get him to a certain pitch count," Joe Girardi said. "And then second you want him throwing the ball well where he feels comfortable. For example, if he didn’t necessarily feel comfortable or he wasn’t sharp, you could say, well, let’s have him make one more start. The plan is to get him to (reach) the pitch count. What is it, 75 this time, probably 90 the next, and then you go from there. At that point, you would feel, from a pitch count, he’s ready to join us."

Masahiro Tanaka is also inching closer. He was examined by a doctor on Friday and could begin playing catch on Monday. Girardi said the Yankees will check on Tanaka tomorrow just make sure he still feels good to go, but clearly the plan is to have him begin playing catch.

"We'll see tomorrow what everyone wants to do with him," Girardi said. "But as we said, three weeks is the mark. His doctor (has checked him), he feels good, so we'll see what we do. ... Catch or no catch. Those are about the two options."

Previous indications were that Tanaka was being evaluated on Monday, but the evaluation actually came two days ago. Monday is when he could start moving forward. Of course, playing catch is the first of many steps. Even if all goes well, Tanaka is still several weeks from rejoining the rotation.

"It's not starting all over because he's been built up," Girardi said. "But it'll be probably (playing catch at) 60 feet, and then 60 and 90, and 90 and 120, then flat ground and bullpen and probably a rehab game. ... I think Brian (Cashman), when it happened, he said September (is Tanaka's likely return)."

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• As mentioned yesterday, this regular lineup includes Carlos Beltran remaining at DH for the time being. There's still some desire to get him into the outfield, but it's not nearly the priority it was before the deadline. "With the moves that we made, it’s a lot easier to (have an everyday DH) because I feel that we have a lot more options with (Martin) Prado," Girardi said. "If you’re facing a lefty, you don’t necessarily have to have three left-handed-hitting outfielders out there. I do believe with the trades that we made, it gives us more options. I told Carlos, ‘Obviously we’d like to be able to get you out there, but I don’t want to rush it.’”

• Speaking of Beltran, he's hitting .375 with a .625 slugging percentage since the All-Star break. The Yankees didn't add a huge bat at the deadline, but getting a legitimately productive Beltran could be that kind of upgrade. "I think it’s consistent at-bats," Girardi said. "I think he’s just being the player that we thought he would be. It was just a matter of time. But I’m sure it has something to do with (the elbow feeling better), and maybe getting used to the brace as well because that’s obviously something he had to go through and get used to.”

• Not technically a deadline addition, but Chase Headley is certainly a new guy, and he's generating rave reviews for his defense at third base. "His defense has been spectacular," Girardi said. "And the play he made yesterday to end the game was a really, really difficult play. The ball took a bad hop and it almost took his hat off. So he’s played a great third base."

• Second base also might have gotten a defensive upgrade, even from a guy who'd never played the position before Friday. Stephen Drew's looked good over there so far. “He’s looked pretty good to me," Girardi said. "He’s seemed to make the plays that he needs to make. He seems to be in the spots where he needs to be. So far, so good."

• Some lingering discussion today about Dellin Betances hitting 100 mph three times last night. While Betances has acknowledged wanting to reach triple digits, Girardi said he doesn't believe Betances is sacrificing mechanics or logic in the name of lighting up the radar gun. “I have not seen a guy that necessarily tries to do that," Girardi said. "I have not. I’ve seen a guy that really has just went out and done his job and not worried about velocity. He’s thrown his share of curveballs. I don’t see a guy looking at the radar gun. I don’t see that, so I don’t have any concern about it."